Who We Are
As CEO of RELA since 2020, Michael has pioneered the development and launch of the world’s first renewable energy land marketplace. With 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, academic, and investor, he has collaborated with partners including the Kuwait Investment Authority, University of NSW and Hewitt Foods. Michael’s expertise lies in fostering deep collaboration and finding win-win outcomes amongst diverse stakeholders. Michael earned a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Canberra (winner of the ACT Economics Prize), and a Master of Applied Finance from Charles Sturt University (with Distinction). He also enjoyed a 17 year semi professional football career spanning five continents, before entering into coaching and administration. Michael and his wife have five children so he is doing his bit to bolster domestic demand for both agricultural and renewable energy production.
Stuart brings deep expertise across renewable energy markets and the drive and ability to find the right answers to complex problems. Prior to RELA, he spent over 15 years at Macquarie Group working in the London, Houston, New York and Sydney offices. Stuart has cross-functional experience in risk management, project finance and corporate finance, with a focus on the energy sector, including leading Macquarie’s risk and strategic oversight of global renewable energy investments, across ~$20bn in transactions. Stuart brings his financial and commercial expertise in leading global transaction teams to create valuable outcomes for both landowners and developers. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and Commerce from the Australian National University and a Master of Finance from INSEAD.
Eran has over 20 years of experience in the property industry with an in-depth understanding of the inherent value of land to development projects across all sectors. Eran earned a Bachelor of Building & Construction Management from University of Technology Sydney. He spent the majority of his life thriving in team environments, succeeding in all levels of competitive football across the Australian leagues, followed by 5 years of football administration. As with his footballing career, Eran brings a passion and desire to work with clients to find solutions to solve their challenges to ensure win-win outcomes for all parties.
David is a seasoned technology and climate/sustainability entrepreneur, with over 25 years experience as a founder and CEO. His most recent venture, Envizi, grew to become a global leader in carbon and sustainability software and was acquired by IBM in January 2022. David served as IBM’s VP of Sustainability Solutions until March 2024. Previous ventures include Databank Technologies, an Australian market leader in disaster recovery, which was sold to Freightways (a New Zealand public company) in 2006 as well as Access Telecommunications, an early entrant in Australia’s deregulated Telco market. Most recently, David has focussed his efforts and attention in Australia’s climate technology startup sector. He is an operating partner with Bandera Capital, an investor in RELA. He also advises and mentors a number of Bandera’s other early stage investments. David’s professional background was in accounting and finance. He holds a Bcomm from UNSW and was a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He spent 8 years of his early career with Coopers & Lybrand in their audit and corporate advisory practices.
Gabriel is the Founder and Managing Partner at Bandera Capital, one of Australia’s most active early-stage climate-tech investors. His background is in corporate development and project finance spanning the Energy, Power and Water sectors globally where he lead over $3bn in development and M&A transactions for AJ Lucas Group (ASX:AJL), Jacobs (NYS:J), Wood Group (LON:WG) and their major development partners. Prior to Bandera, Gabriel was a technology entrepreneur in the fintech and financial services industry, most recently co-founding and growing a global venture studio that was later sold to Simble. Gabriel is originally from Texas and a fourth-generation landowner with decades of experience in farming, ranching and land stewardship. He holds degrees in Mathematics, Engineering and Finance from Texas State University and the New York Institute of Finance.
Jess is a highly respected female leader in law and business, with over a decade of experience, including stints at King & Wood Mallesons and Scentre Group. Specialising in property transactions and general commercial law, Jess has represented a wide range of clients, from property owners and developers to financiers, across diverse property sectors. Jess now has a deep focus on the renewable energy land space, utilising her extensive background to spearhead sustainable initiatives. Her dedication to excellence and commitment to driving positive change not only benefits RELA’s clients but also contributes to the advancement of the industry as a whole. In her spare time Jess enjoys a country lifestyle with her family in Mudgee, including working with horses and tending to their ever expanding vegetable garden.
Lubo brings 12+ year’s experience in business development and stakeholder management in both primary industry and biotechnology across both North America and Australian markets. Lubo leads the Client Relations division at RELA, leaning on his unique global experience in primary industry trade ensuring high quality and value driven outcomes to agricultural landowners across Australia. He has spent the last 3 years working closely with primary producers and has cultivated meaningful relationships beyond just the successful commercial outcomes. Lubo has a strong interest in sustainability and is a proponent for sustainable farm management practices. Lubo has a BComm in Finance and graduate diploma in Digital Media and Communications.
As the Head of Brand at RELA since 2022, David is proud of his contributions to the launch of the world’s first renewable energy land marketplace. In his role, he continues to develop initiatives that have earned RELA well-deserved recognition within the renewable energy industry. With over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, branding, design and marketing, David is a versatile leader known for navigating complex markets and spearheading innovative strategies. David earned an Honors degree in International Business & Strategy from the European Business School. He has been featured in Foundr’s inaugural book of entrepreneurs and has appeared on multiple media outlets including ABC News, Radio National, The Australian, TechCrunch and many more. Outside of work, David enjoys time with his wife on their farm in South Gippsland, where he tries to perfect his amateur farming skills and appreciate the simpler pleasures of rural life.
Technology plays a central role in shaping the RELA marketplace into scalable solutions for the renewable energy land market. As Head of Technology for RELA, Bal leads the technological advancements and strategic innovations across the RELA Marketplace. His role involves spearheading the integration of technology solutions, such as data analytics to optimise the platform and provide the highest calibre user experience. Bal is responsible for overseeing the platform’s technical infrastructure, ensuring system stability whilst driving continuous improvements to meet the evolving needs of renewable energy developers and other stakeholders that engage with the RELA marketplace. Bal brings an array of valuable collaborative skills to RELA following 20 years of experience in the health, financial services, engineering, education, and technology industries. He holds an MBA in Technology from UNSW Sydney which included a sustainable development exchange program in Indonesia.
Damien is dedicated to his role as a software engineer at RELA, where he plays a key role in developing the RELA platform. Cutting his teeth in agencies and start ups before moving to the world of big tech, Damien has gained invaluable insights and experiences that have shaped his approach to problem-solving. With his blend of experience, creativity, and a penchant for understanding the bigger picture, Damien continues to drive innovation in software engineering, striving to build solutions that not only meet RELAs needs of today but also anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.
Andy came to work for RELA in early 2024 after previously working for a well-known private law firm in Central West NSW for many years. In that time Andy helped in countless property transactions as well as advising on general commercial and business law. Andy has worked alongside a host of clients including property owners, developers, financiers and a range of other professionals. Andy’s ability to create relationships and connect with RELA clients allows for high level negotiations and smooth transactions. Growing up and still living in Central West NSW, Andy has a deep respect for regional communities and the people that live there. He hopes that while working for RELA, it will allow him to continue to give back to those communities and help people realise opportunities and reach their goals within the renewable energy space.
Gary brings 30 years of professional and practical experience from across the agricultural, energy and renewable industries. With an Agricultural Science background, his initial interests were in agronomy and farming. Seeing an opportunity to integrate agriculture and the resource sector he spent 12 years in the energy industry in land access in a management role. Coordination of complex regulatory, corporate, design and construction requirements with landholder requirements was a significant part of this role. Gary has also been actively engaged in the renewable energy sector, negotiating and hosting a large wind farm on his family’s land. With his extensive experience of land access, stakeholder engagement and agreement negotiation for major projects he is excited to join the RELA team. Gary aspires to deliver value outcomes for landholders with an emphasis on co-existence between the landowners and renewable energy projects. Based in Toowoomba with his family he enjoys visiting the family farm and running cattle in his spare time.
Zach is a seasoned energy sector leader and has over 15 years of experience working in the private, not-for-profit and government sectors. He has led teams and delivered projects across electricity, gas, liquid fuels and water utilities. Zach is adept at solving strategic and project delivery challenges and collaborating effectively between technical, legal, finance and senior leadership within industry, government and the community. He is dedicated to the renewable transition and is proud to be fulfilling a key role in the world’s first renewable energy land marketplace with RELA. Zach completed undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering and post graduate studies in Business and Management. In his spare time, Zach enjoys camping, swimming, running and regularly volunteers with the Australian Red Cross and Surf Life Saving Australia.
Dan has been with RELA since its inception, developing the initial basic IT solution for assessment. Once a teacher, Dan broke into the IT industry five decades ago, when computers took up a huge amount of space and many resources, but housed less memory than today’s mobile phones. When not working, Dan was once a karate black belt, has helped raise two children, is heavily involved with six grandchildren, and still plays soccer at age 76.
Brent Finlay boasts over 40 years of experience in the agricultural sector, managing his sheep and cattle property, Cooinda, in South East Queensland’s Traprock region. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Finlay Agricultural Industries, providing strategic advice to a broad range of agricultural enterprises and projects. Brent’s leadership roles include former President of the National Farmers Federation and Agforce Queensland, and a board member of the World Farm Organisation representing Oceania. His negotiation skills have been pivotal in addressing key issues like trade agreements and policy developments across multiple countries. Recently, Brent has chaired significant water projects like the Emu Swamp Dam and Bowen Pipeline project. He is also actively engaged in the renewable energy sector, not only hosting a large wind farm on his land but also advising landholder clients in negotiations with major energy infrastructure companies. As a senior advisor to RELA, Brent is driven by a commitment to ensure landowners succeed in Australia’s transition to renewable energy. RELA leverages Brent’s extensive knowledge and experience to enhance its dedication to empowering landowners in the renewable energy transition.